2. Timeline and milestones

Planning and environmental review: 2006-2011

From 2006-2011 the extension to downtown Redmond from Redmond Technology Station is included in the East Link Extension environmental review.

Environmental review and preliminary engineering for East Link Extension is completed in 2011. Sound Transit issues a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the Sound Transit Board selects the project to be built in July 2011. The Federally issued Record Of Decisions (ROD) finalizes the alignment that the Sound Transit Board selected, completing the required process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

While completing environmental review, the 2007 economic downturn postpones design and construction of the final two Redmond stations until identifying additional funding. Voters approve additional funding for this project in 2016 as part of the Sound Transit 3 Plan.

Environmental refresh and preliminary engineering: 2017 - 2018

Sound Transit refreshes the environmental documentation to reflect current conditions for the final two stations of the East Link Extension.

Under a Design-Build contract, Sound Transit selects a single contractor by the end of 2019 to oversee both design and construction, creating opportunities to streamline project delivery and help guarantee budget.

The Design-Build contractor uses public input to develop final designs which it presents to the Redmond Design Review Board for the public to provide additional feedback.

During final design, Sound Transit completes the design of the trackway, stations and art installations including sequencing and mitigation.

As part of the Design-Build contract, some pre-construction activities may start sooner. In 2020 the project moves primarily to construction.

Testing begins in 2023.